Is it fair to say that college football players are under a lot of pressure? Do they have the luxury of being a college student without dealing with a football program that brings in millions each year? Are they able to study without thinking about playing football? These are just a few questions one must consider when looking at student-athletes.

With all of the responsibilities a student-athlete has to deal with, they should know the difference between right and wrong. In other words, stay away from criminal activity. There is no excuse for it.

One former Vanderbilt University football player will be spending the next 15 years of his life in prison for participating in a gang rape.

According to the Daily Mail, “Brandon Banks was found guiltyof one count of aggravated rape and one count of aggravated sexual battery. He was found not guilty on five other counts.”

The incident took place inside the dormitory of the victim. It’s also been reported that the victim’s boyfriend at the time, Brandon Vanderburg and another colleague, Cory Batey also were charged.

“Vandenburg reportedly handed his teammates condoms before he suggested they engage in the act with her numbed body, according to prosecutors.”

Banks claimed that he was bullied by his teammates to engage in the rape. However, the judge wasn’t accepting his excuse. It was discovered that he had over 20 pictures of the victim on his phone during the rape.

“Assistant District Attorney Roger Moore said Banks left the victim lying ‘like a piece of trash laid out for the garbage collectors to pick up’ following the alleged ‘bullying’ incident.”

Time is prison will give Banks much to think about. Clearly, Vanderbilt will take a hit by this incident. Let’s hope they use this as a teachable moment to all of their students.